This comment from a Brit bike journo on the Guzzi Stelvio launch I thought interesting.

The latest Stelvio comes in two versions in Europe, one with spoked wheels (NTX) and one with cast (8V), and they had both on the launch:

"Swapping between the two and riding through mountain roads it's the 1200 8V version that I wanted to stay on. It's the keener of the two bikes and much easier to throw around. Admittedly it's not carrying an extra 22kg of extras around with it but it's the wheels that make the biggest difference.

"Although the 1200 8V's alloy wheels and the NTX's spoked wheels weigh the same amount, the NTX's carry most of their weight on the rim and this inertia makes a big difference when it comes to cornering. It's not that the NTX is bad at turning on its side, it's just the 1200 8V just feels so much better."